Best Magnetic Pickups for Acoustic Guitars for Recording 2025

Professional magnetic pickups for acoustic guitars for recording use - perfect sound and reliability

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 Under $200 Under $300

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For Live Performance For Recording For Folk For Country For Natural Tone For Feedback Resistance

BRANDS: Fishman Seymour Duncan

Mojotone Quiet Coil NC-2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Mojotone Quiet Coil NC-2

by Mojotone

Live Performance Natural Tone Feedback Resistance

Key Feature:

• Warm, organic sound character

✓ PROS

• Warm, organic sound character
• Good feedback resistance for live use

✗ CONS

• Limited dynamic range compared to condensers
• May not capture full acoustic resonance

Mojotone Quiet Coil NC-2Pickup and Pre-Amp for Acoustic GuitarConstruction: magnetic and mikedFor pickup mounting in...

⭐ 4.9/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 555504

$263

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DiMarzio The Black Angel DP 234 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

DiMarzio The Black Angel DP 234

by DiMarzio

Feedback Resistance Recording Country

Key Feature:

• Good feedback resistance for live use

✓ PROS

• Warm, organic sound character
• No battery power required

✗ CONS

• Limited dynamic range compared to condensers
• Positioning critical for optimal sound

DiMarzio The Black Angel DP 234, Soundhole Pickup for Steel-string Guitar, Passive humbucker, Phase reverse switch, For...

⭐ 4.7/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 417760

$219

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan Woody Hum Cancelling Walnut - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Seymour Duncan Woody Hum Cancelling Walnut

by Seymour Duncan

Live Performance Feedback Resistance Folk

Key Feature:

• Warm, organic sound character

✓ PROS

• Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction
• No battery power required

✗ CONS

• Limited dynamic range compared to condensers
• May sound less bright than piezo systems

Seymour Duncan Woody Hum Cancelling WalnutPickupMagnetic sound hole pickup for acoustic steel string guitarProvides a...

⭐ 4.6/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 563598

$149

Buy at Thomann View Details

Mojotone Quiet Coil NC Passive - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Mojotone Quiet Coil NC Passive

by Mojotone

Folk Live Performance Natural Tone

Key Feature:

• No battery power required

✓ PROS

• Good feedback resistance for live use
• No battery power required

✗ CONS

• Can pick up magnetic interference
• Limited dynamic range compared to condensers

Mojotone Quiet Coil NC PassivePickup for Acoustic GuitarFor mounting in the sound holeConstruction: magneticPerfect...

⭐ 4.8/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 555506

$186

Buy at Thomann View Details

KNA Pickups HP-1A - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

KNA Pickups HP-1A

by KNA Pickups

Live Performance Country Recording

Key Feature:

• Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction

✓ PROS

• Less susceptible to handling noise
• No battery power required

✗ CONS

• May sound less bright than piezo systems
• Can pick up magnetic interference

KNA Pickups HP-1A, Active Humbucker Magnetic Pickup, For mounting in the sound hole, High-gloss mahogany housing, 2.5 m...

⭐ 4.6/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 585159

$131

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan SA-3XL Woody XL Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Seymour Duncan SA-3XL Woody XL Series

by Seymour Duncan

Country Live Performance Folk

Key Feature:

• Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction

✓ PROS

• Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction
• Good feedback resistance for live use

✗ CONS

• Can pick up magnetic interference
• Positioning critical for optimal sound

Seymour Duncan SA-3XL Woody XL SeriesElectro - Magnetic PickupFrom the Woody seriesFor sound hole mountingWooden...

⭐ 5.0/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 235270

$171

Buy at Thomann View Details

Takamine TRI-AX 2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Takamine TRI-AX 2

by Takamine

Folk Natural Tone Live Performance

Key Feature:

• No battery power required

✓ PROS

• Warm, organic sound character
• No battery power required

✗ CONS

• May not capture full acoustic resonance
• Can pick up magnetic interference

Takamine TRI-AX 2Magnetic Pickup For Steel-String GuitarSuitable for the Cool Tube PreampAdjustable pole pieces for...

⭐ 4.5/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 179202

$351

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Fishman Rare Earth Mic Blend - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (48 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Fishman Rare Earth Mic Blend

by Fishman

Folk Feedback Resistance Natural Tone

Key Feature:

• Warm, organic sound character

✓ PROS

• No battery power required
• Less susceptible to handling noise

✗ CONS

• Limited dynamic range compared to condensers
• Can pick up magnetic interference

Fishman Rare Earth Mic Blend 2017Pickup SystemHumbucker pickup and flexible cardioid microphoneMicrophone/Pickup...

⭐ 4.4/5 (48 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 175657

$274

Buy at Thomann View Details

⭐ 4.6/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

L.R.Baggs M1 Activ Soundhole Pickup

by L.R.Baggs

Feedback Resistance Live Performance Recording

Key Feature:

• Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction

✓ PROS

• No battery power required
• Less susceptible to handling noise

✗ CONS

• Can pick up magnetic interference
• Limited dynamic range compared to condensers

L.R.Baggs M1 Activ Soundhole Pickup, Soundhole Pickup, Active magnetic pickup (humbucker), For soundhole mounting,...

⭐ 4.6/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 219558

$256

Buy at Thomann View Details

Shadow SH 145 Gold Prestige - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.7/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Shadow SH 145 Gold Prestige

by Shadow

Country Recording Folk

Key Feature:

• No battery power required

✓ PROS

• No battery power required
• Less susceptible to handling noise

✗ CONS

• Limited dynamic range compared to condensers
• Positioning critical for optimal sound

Shadow SH 145 Gold PrestigePickupFor western guitarHumbucker for sound hole attachmentVolume controlActive...

⭐ 4.7/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 288577

$138

Buy at Thomann View Details

DiMarzio Virtual Acoustic DP 138 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.8/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

DiMarzio Virtual Acoustic DP 138

by DiMarzio

Feedback Resistance Country Natural Tone

Key Feature:

• Warm, organic sound character

✓ PROS

• Less susceptible to handling noise
• Warm, organic sound character

✗ CONS

• Can pick up magnetic interference
• Limited dynamic range compared to condensers

DiMarzio Virtual Acoustic DP 138, Soundhole Pickup, Virtual Acoustic Series, Passive humbucker

⭐ 4.8/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 189031

$120

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bartolini Acoustic Soundhole Pickup - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.6/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Bartolini Acoustic Soundhole Pickup

by Bartolini

Natural Tone Country Feedback Resistance

Key Feature:

• Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction

✓ PROS

• No battery power required
• Natural acoustic guitar tone reproduction

✗ CONS

• May sound less bright than piezo systems
• May not capture full acoustic resonance

Bartolini Acoustic Soundhole PickupSoundhole Pickup for Acoustic GuitarsNatural soundEasy installationCoils arranged on...

⭐ 4.6/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 602312

$201

Buy at Thomann View Details

Shadow SH 145 BK Prestige - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.7/5 (19 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Shadow SH 145 BK Prestige

by Shadow

Natural Tone Live Performance Folk

Key Feature:

• Warm, organic sound character

✓ PROS

• Good feedback resistance for live use
• No battery power required

✗ CONS

• Can pick up magnetic interference
• May sound less bright than piezo systems

Shadow SH 145 BK Prestige, Pickup for Steel-String GuitarThe SH 145 Prestige is an active sound pickup (humbucker) with...

⭐ 4.7/5 (19 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 184876

$122

Buy at Thomann View Details

Mojotone Quiet Coil NC-1 Ac. Pickup - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.5/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Mojotone Quiet Coil NC-1 Ac. Pickup

by Mojotone

Folk Country Feedback Resistance

Key Feature:

• Good feedback resistance for live use

✓ PROS

• Less susceptible to handling noise
• No battery power required

✗ CONS

• May sound less bright than piezo systems
• Can pick up magnetic interference

Mojotone Quiet Coil NC-1 Ac. PickupPickup & Pre-Amp for Acoustic GuitarConstruction: MagneticPickup mounting: In...

⭐ 4.5/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 524183

$219

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton TrueTone SH-30W Pro Active - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.9/5 (2 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton TrueTone SH-30W Pro Active

by Harley Benton

Recording Folk Country

Key Feature:

• Warm, organic sound character

✓ PROS

• Warm, organic sound character
• Good feedback resistance for live use

✗ CONS

• May sound less bright than piezo systems
• Positioning critical for optimal sound

Harley Benton TrueTone SH-30W Pro ActiveMagnetic Soundhole Pickup for Acoustic GuitarActivenoise-free designCombination...

⭐ 4.9/5 (2 reviews)

Sound:

6/10

Build:

5/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 580105

$54

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Magnetic Pickups for Acoustic Guitars

Budget Planning

• Under $200: Entry-level
• $200-$500: Intermediate
• $500-$1000: Advanced
• $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

• Sound clarity & tone
• Build materials & finish
• Hardware durability
• Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

• Your musical style
• Skill level match
• Intended use case
• Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.

Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.

Higher-priced magnetic pickups for acoustic guitars typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.

Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.

Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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TOP

Best Magnetic Pickups for Acoustic Guitars for Recording 2025

Mojotone Quiet Coil NC-2

DiMarzio The Black Angel DP 234

Seymour Duncan Woody Hum Cancelling Walnut

Mojotone Quiet Coil NC Passive

KNA Pickups HP-1A

Seymour Duncan SA-3XL Woody XL Series

Takamine TRI-AX 2

Fishman Rare Earth Mic Blend

L.R.Baggs M1 Activ Soundhole Pickup

Shadow SH 145 Gold Prestige

DiMarzio Virtual Acoustic DP 138

Bartolini Acoustic Soundhole Pickup

Shadow SH 145 BK Prestige

Mojotone Quiet Coil NC-1 Ac. Pickup

Harley Benton TrueTone SH-30W Pro Active

How to Choose the Best Magnetic Pickups for Acoustic Guitars

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying magnetic pickups for acoustic guitars?

How much should I spend on magnetic pickups for acoustic guitars?

Are expensive magnetic pickups for acoustic guitars worth the investment?

What are the best brands for magnetic pickups for acoustic guitars?

Should I buy magnetic pickups for acoustic guitars online or in-store?

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